My Dear Dad:
It's only been a week since you left, but to us it
seems like a month. We certainly did enjoy your visit, but we feel that
you were too much the host when it should have been vice versa, and the
next time we get together we'll see that it shall be us who does the
entertaining. You surely did make a hit with our friends, the Emlays.
They're not through talking about you yet. When Earle and his wife
got home that night they were talking about you, and he said to her,
"Believe me, I'm goin' to be like that someday."Letter, Pinto Colvig to William M. Colvig, December 2, 1917

The
Corporation owns a 51% interest in the Stereospeed Productions, Inc.,
which produces the profitable and popular "slow motion" pictures of the
kind featured by Pathe in weekly releases. The camera, invented by Mr.
Earle Emlay, is capable of producing 384 photographs per second and is
the only camera of its kind in the world.Advertisement for stock of the Motion Picture Producing Company of America, Inc., Syracuse Post-Standard, December 7, 1919, page 64

PINTO COLVIG LEADS MOVIE MAKERS
INTO THIS SECTIONSeries of Pictures Will Be Filmed in Southern Oregon;
Pioneer Mining Story Will Be Taken in This Locality.

Motion
pictures of Medford, Southern Oregon and Crater Lake will first be
taken at the instigation of Medford "boy" Vance "Pinto" Colvig, son of
Judge William Colvig and member of one of Jackson County's most noted
pioneer families.
With one of the most complete outfits carried by a
traveling company, a cast of players of exceptional ability and
recognized reputations, a director of like qualifications, and a camera
man of unusual training and experience, Pinto and company from the
E.R.L. Productions, Hollywood, arrived in Medford last night to take a
series of short subject pictures.

Plan Scenics

According to director Emlay, the pictures will be
"brand-new scenics with human interest, clever stories with some comic
relief." They will also probably shoot one special picture, "Shades of
'49," with locations at Southern Oregon mines.
The Rogue River Valley was decided upon, after much
discussion, partly because they felt its scenic beauties had been
overlooked, also because they wanted to get the "right atmosphere, the
far away, the bigness, or the 'wide open spaces'," as they call it. The
pictures will be released through one of the biggest producers
existing, and Medford and the valley, also Crater Lake, will be made
known eventually all over the country, according to director Emlay.
The company includes Ruth Robinson, feminine lead;
Paul Power, cast to play opposite Miss Robinson; "Pinto," Earle Emlay,
the director; William Stull; Robert Parker and Val Bradley, camera man.
Miss Robinson is a recognized New York actress, a
year ago touring over the Orpheum circuit in dramatic sketches. She has
just finished three pictures in Hollywood.

Found Holt

Mr. Emlay, the director, will perhaps mean more to
people of this valley as the one who "discovered" Jack Holt. He is the
inventor of the slow-motion pictures which have been used for screen
releases for many years. He was director for House Peters, Beatriz
Michelena and others in former years, and has since directed many of
the other leading stars of the screen world.

New Star

Seeing similar possibilities he developed in Jack
Holt, Mr. Emlay is now focusing his interest in Paul Power, a young man
who not long ago graduated from Harvard and who is now rapidly
attaining eminence in the pictures.
"Pinto" and his successful and varied career are
well known to local residents. The past year, however, he has added new
laurels, writing scenarios and gags for many of the biggest pictures
produced, the latest being the screen version of "Topsy and Eva," with
the famous Duncan Sisters playing twin leads. Other pictures recently
using Pinto's ideas are "The Poor Nut," "All Aboard," "McFadden's
Flats" and Johnny Hines. Mr. Colvig will be comedy constructor in the
forthcoming productions, also writing the stories and continuity.
Of special interest also, and adding greatly to the
pictures, will be the work of William Stull, cinematographer, who has
just returned from Germany and Sweden. Mr. Stull has gone into the
business of motion picture photography as thoroughly as it is possible
to do. Studying at many of the leading universities here and abroad,
where he learned of the latest lighting methods and scenic values, he
is now able to obtain innumerable new lighting effects, such as hazes,
sunsets, etc., which besides being novel add immeasurably to the beauty
of the pictures. Robert Parker, camera man, was formerly with the
National Geographic.
As mentioned before, the company is completely
equipped, even carrying their own orchestra and a portable darkroom.
"We had thought of going to many places" Pinto says,
"Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, even Egypt," but decided to come here.
The company is at the Hotel Medford and expect to begin operations in a
few days.Medford Daily News, June 2, 1927, page 1

COLVIG'S
MOVIE OUTFIT DEPARTS FOR PROSPECT

Vance "Pinto" Colvig, former local resident, representing the E.F.R. [sic]
movie company of Los Angeles, and a crew of seven, left this morning
for Prospect, where they will establish camp for the taking of Crater
Lake movies, also snow and timber scenes, for use in forthcoming
productions. Upon the return of the party movies will be taken of
scenes in this city, and also views of Jacksonville, for use in "Days
of '49" pictures. In the shooting of Crater Lake, it is planned to use
an airplane.
"We will take about four sets of
pictures here,"
said Colvig, "and will use some of them in productions to appear in the
fall, and others will be scenically descriptive views. I want to get
some pictures of Jacksonville and adjacent country, for use in mining
pictures."
Mr. Colvig said that pictures of Medford
and
surrounding territory would be taken from the air at a later date this
summer.
"Pinto" is a part owner in the film
company now
here, and is the son of Judge W. M. Colvig. He will direct the taking
of the local pictures. "Pinto" is well known locally. He used to play
the flute, cornet and bass horn in the Medford band. He is also a
cartoonist, and has won considerable fame as a maker of animated film
comics, cartoons and pictures.Medford
Mail Tribune, June 3, 1927, page 7

Jim Grieve To Be Next Star of Film World

Attention,
all you Jackson County picture fans, for out of your midst is to come
the next masculine star of the motion picture world, and an onslaught
on feminine hearts is expected. Such a conquest as was never known
before or since.
Hidden away in the soul of us all are dreams and
desires, aspirations and unfulfilled ambitions. "Even as you and I" has
been the valley's most noted and handsome son. Under that manly
exterior has been the longing for self-expression these many years.
Expression that heretofore has never found an outlet.
But why dwell on that? "It's all over now." The
candle will no longer be submerged in the darkness under a bushel, the
rose no longer blush unseen and waste its sweetness on the desert air
of Agate and Tolo. The only suffering will be endured when the classic
nose of John Gilbert, of Jack Barrymore and of Don Juans of the silent
art, begin to break. For break they will as their owners take a back
seat to make room for the new juvenile lead of the pictures--Jim Grieve.Medford Daily News, June 8,
1927, page 1 Jim
Grieve was the rotund--and middle-aged--proprietor of the Prospect
Hotel. Production stills reveal that Grieve did spend time before the
E.R.L. camera.

Panascope Films To Show the World Crater Lake

"It is impossible to bring the whole world to Crater Lake, but we can take Crater Lake to the whole world."
"An easy way to find the superior mouse trap," I
said to myself. Sitting in a luxurious motion picture house, more like
the fairy palace of our childhood dreams than a theatre, lolling in the
nth degree of comfort in
the soft depths of an overstuffed chair, hearing music from a symphony
orchestra composed of musicians in the highest stage of musical
education and ability, or to an organist of similar standing--the world
and his wife will gaze at the marvelous scenes of the "sea of silence"
as they pass before them.
To bring Crater Lake to the world. That seems to be
the heart's desire of William Stull, Jr., chief cinematographer, and
his assistants, Val Brady and Robert Parker of the E.R.L. Productions,
Inc., now in Jackson County to film a series of subject pictures.
The company invaded the snow country yesterday, Mr.
Stull working with the new motor panascope, his own invention. The
panascope is an ingenious affair, producing a weird but pleasing
optical effect. One scene dissolves into another while the country is
traversed, giving the audience the impression they are traveling along
with the camera. Stull tried out the apparatus in Sweden ineffectively,
but has since perfected the mechanism.
The company is now established at their camp at
Union Creek, and from that point a caterpillar is drawing sleds to the
Lake. Col. Thomson, superintendent of Crater Lake National Park, has
provided for all the assistance which Park employees and equipment can
give the company.
They are expected in Medford next Monday, when
director Emlay will fly over the valley, taking pictures of Medford and
surrounding country. Without doubt, this section will receive a great
amount of publicity through these pictures.Medford Daily News, June 8,
1927, page 8

"Pinto" Colvig made a
few witty remarks
regarding life in Hollywood among the movie folks [at the Kiwanis
meeting today].
Mr. Colvig said the company in which he
is
interested has just finished spending several days shooting pictures of
Crater Lake and the surrounding scenery, that two of its men went by
planes to shoot Crater and Diamond lakes from the air and that they
would be in this vicinity for several days not securing pictures around
Prospect, Table Rock and other places. He was born in Jacksonville 34
years ago, and last week was the first time he had seen Crater Lake."Airplanes Are Shooting Local Lakes Today," Medford Mail Tribune, June
13, 1927, page 8

To weave a scenario around the mysterious and fascinating Indian legend
of Crater Lake, use the lake and its surroundings as setting, and
produce the greatest epic picture ever filmed is the ambition of Earl
Emlay, director of the E.R.L. Productions, Hollywood, who is at present
in Crater Lake National Park taking a series of short subject pictures.
Satiated with the "sheik" picture, the "sex" drama
losing its pictorial and box office appeal, and the biblical themes
practically exhausted, Emlay believes the Crater Lake legend, with its
wealth of imagery and basis for unusual plot, developments and
characterizations, will be as refreshing as it will be magnificent and
impressive.

Unpublished Myth

The myth from which the continuity will be written is an unpublished one told to Mr. Emlay by Judge Colvig,
who has been familiar with the story since his boyhood days. As may be
imagined, it is a colorful tale, abounding in romance, lively action,
dramatic situations, and a climax as sensational as the most jaded
movie fan could desire.
Poets, dramatists and musicians have felt deeply the
beauty of Indian folklore and mythology. It has furnished them with
material and inspiration for their talents, that later produced signal
and outstanding successes, the latest being "Shanewis," the grand opera
by Charles Wakefield Cadman, American composer, who presented it at the
Metropolitan Opera House, New York City. Pictorially, however, the
Indian legend has been overlooked, until director Emlay, with the
vision of the artist, realized its possibilities when adapted for the
screen, and foresaw what marvelous effects and what a stupendous
production might be developed.

"Not Cheap"

"It
isn't a story to be handled cheaply," he declares, from his vantage
point given by years of experience, "but one which will call for the
most skillful direction, actors of the highest ability, a supporting
case of equal talents, and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of extras.
Naturally, the siting would be Crater Lake and the surrounding country,
which is the most beautiful and advantageous for such purposes that I
have ever seen."
To the uninitiated, there is much that "seems to be
and is not" in the pictures. Trick methods of exposure, particularly in
the filming of miniatures, produce the most realistic and impressive
effects, without the actual occurrences. In the field of such effects,
those who have accomplished the most say achievement has not begun to
approach its zenith.

Is Inventor

Mr. Emlay is distinguished as the inventor of the
constant cine ultraspeed camera, the only one of its kind in the world.
It employs an absolutely new optical arrangement of exposure, some
scenes being shot at a speed of 900 pictures per second. This camera
enables them to record on the film the minutest detail in miniature
operation. To illustrate, a topographical miniature of Oregon would be
made to appear as a bird's-eye view of the entire country.
With this camera a volcanic eruption could be shown
for the first time, revealing what really would happen if it were
possible to reproduce an actual volcanic disturbance.
Little imagination is needed to forecast the
possibilities of this latest invention in filming such a production as
Mr. Emlay hopes to direct. With the unique beauty of Crater Lake, the
fantastic tale for the scenario, the weird and pictorial and bizarre
effects and with players cast only as Indians, the director feels he
has many convincing arguments with which to interest one of the big
organizations in making such a picture. This he will endeavor to do,
immediately upon his return to Hollywood.Medford Daily News, June 19,
1927, page 1

JIM GRIEVE AS A MOVIE ACTOR HAS LOTS OF 'IT'

People
coming to Medford this morning from Union Creek were delighted on
reaching the hotel at Prospect to find Pinto Colvig and the squad of
film people from his Southern California moving picture company, which
has been filming pictures hereabouts for two week or more, in the midst
of filming a story.
"This is the real thing I have always wanted to
see," said the passersby as they quickly halted their cars to drink in
the proceedings.
Outside the hotel the camera man was grinding away,
with the director shouting directions at a group of professional and
native actors. One of the actors was Pinto Colvig, made up to represent
a Professor Buggs, a scientist on vacation and business in the
mountains--you know the kind, having often seen such professors in
stage plays and film stories. Then there was a beautiful young woman,
presumably the heroine, and a handsome young man, presumably the hero,
and a strikingly portly middle-aged man posing as the landlord of a
mountain hotel, wearing a wide sombrero hat and high laced boots, and
the very personification of what Elinor Glynn calls "It."
As the passing cars halted, the landlord stepped
within close camera range with the hero and, advancing to the heroine,
with a Chesterfieldian bow remarked: "Here is Paul, your guide, Miss
Robinson," and then glided away with the air of having done a great
deed, and in so doing accidentally fell over a dog. This fall seemed to
discomfit the mountain landlord, who gave vent to some vehement
language, somewhat reminiscent of that used by Spanish-American War
veterans.
As he arose from the ground, the astonished
beholders recognized, to their unspeakable disgust, that the
discomfited actor was Jim Grieve, owner and manager and supposed boss
of the Prospect resort hotel, grocery and camp ground.
They had nothing to throw.
"Now we will do this scene over again," shouted the
director, and Mr. Mountain Tavern Keeper, be careful to remain on your
feet until out of camera range. All ready now, camera!"
Then again the landlord with the hero approached the lady and said, "Miss Robinson, this is Paul, your--"
"Wipe off your chin, Mr. Landlord, and put a little
more pep into your approach," shouted the director. "Be careful of your
feet now--now again, camera!"
Just as the group of actors was about to go through
the scene for the third time, a voice came out of the hotel kitchen,
shouting, "Jim, Jim, I've called you about a dozen times now. Come here
at once and help move this icebox. Right away!"
"Gosh, it's Mary," said Mr. Grieve to the director,
"and she's gettin' mad. Excuse me for about five minutes." Then he
hotfooted it for the kitchen.
Elinor Glynn was right about that "It" business. Jim has it had.Medford Mail Tribune, June 20, 1927, page 6

TAKE MOVIES OF LOCAL FISHING

After
having spent a week or more at Union Creek, Earl Emlay, director of the
E.R.L. Productions, Inc., of Hollywood, and members of his party, will
break camp at Union Creek this week to leave for Crater Lake, where
they spent several days two weeks ago and over which director Emlay has
flown twice in Pacific Air Transport planes.
The company is returning to the scene to obtain more
shots and will later go to the Diamond Lake country, obtaining pictures
of the beaver farm above Brown's Cabin while en route. The party will
return to Medford in approximately a week and will then begin making
the second shots slated for this section of the country. The subject
will be devoted to the southern Oregon sportsmen due to the fishing
scenes which will be displayed.Medford Mail Tribune, June 24, 1927, page 3

In filming the story scenics now being taken by
director Earl Emlay near Prospect and Crater Lake, the company is
fortunate in having as leading woman Miss Ruth Robinson.
Miss Robinson is rated as leading dramatic stock
actress in the country. She has played season engagements in the chief
cities of the United States, including Minneapolis, Denver, Boston, Los
Angeles, Atlanta, Kansas City, Philadelphia and New York. Last season
she toured the country over the Orpheum circuit, being the headliner at
every performances, acting in her own dramatic playlet.
She is an actress of exceptional ability, is a
beautiful woman and possesses a great amount of personality. Her first
screen test, made in Los Angeles, showed such remarkable screen value
that she was selected to make her screen debut. There is no doubt that
the pictures now being taken in Southern Oregon will be enhanced by the
work of this talented actress.Medford Daily News, June 25, 1927, page 1

CRATER LAKE WEAVES SPELL ON CAMERAMAN

Distance
may lend enchantment to some views, but in the case of the camera men
of the E.R.L. Productions, who have been taking pictures in Crater Lake
Park for the last several weeks, enchantment grows with "close-ups,"
according to their own statements.
"Pictures of Crater Lake outrival anything else I
have ever done," says Robert Parker, the "still" photographer of the
company. Mr. Parker was formerly with the National Geographic Society
in Washington, D.C. He was chosen by the E.R.L. Productions because he
understands thoroughly tone composition in pictures. This is one of the
requisite and necessary things in securing beautiful pictures and the
remarkable tone gradation in effects.
Equally as "enchanted" is William Stull Jr.,
cinematographer for the E.R.L. company. With the aid of six men, Mr.
Stull carried the motion picture apparatus to the highest peak of the
rim of Crater Lake to secure a sunset.
The scene was photographed with an ordinary glass
lens, but with a specially built fused quartz rectifier, a singular
contrivance invented by Stull himself, that allows the ultraviolet rays
to pass through, the result being one of the most beautiful effects
ever shown. The sunset was shot with stop work, which shows the entire
sunset in all its glory in a few seconds on the screen.
Although it only lasts for 16 seconds actual time in
the picture, it took six men and one day's time to photograph. This is
to be the final scene in the Crater Lake picture.Medford Daily News, June 26, 1927, page 1

Paul Power Held Latest Discovery of Silver Screen

It
was in Oregon that one of the leading stars of the motion picture world
was discovered, when Earl Emlay, director of the E.R.L. Productions now
operating at Crater Lake Park, first met Jack Holt, who still owns a
ranch in Eastern Oregon.
It is to Oregon and to Crater Lake that Emlay has
brought his next "discovery," Paul Power, known as one of the newest
"finds" of the silver sheet.
Power, blond and with regular features, stands six
feet, two inches, weighs 190 pounds, and has the finest physique of any
of the screen actors of the day.
He is also an exceptional musician, one time
studying the violin in Italy and planning a musical career. His looks,
however, lured him into the movies, where physical pulchritude
eventually lures both men and women.Medford Daily News, June 28, 1927, page 1

News of an accident occurring when Earle
Emlay, director of the E.R.L. Production company, and Paul Power,
leading man, were carried down the canyon near Anna Springs camp,
Crater Lake Park, in a shift of loose snow, was received here
yesterday. According to rumors of the accident, Emlay is suffering from
serious head injuries. A large camera, carried by the men, is said to
have been completely destroyed in the fall. The injured man is in the
film company's camp near Prospect."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, June 30, 1927, page 2

EMLAY HURT IN ACCIDENT NEAR CRATER

Serious
difficulties were encountered late Monday night by the E.R.L.
Productions company, which has been operating around Medford the past
three weeks, when Earle Emlay, the director, and Paul Power, leading
man, met with accidents in the canyon a half mile above Anna Springs.
They were on their way to Crater Lake at a late
hour, carrying the heavy camera, and, stepping in a bank of soft snow,
were carried some distance down into the canyon. Brief telephone
communication gave slight details of the disaster, but outside of
serious head injuries, Emlay is thought to be resting easily at the
company's camp.
William Stull Jr., one of the cameramen, tried to
save a Bell & Howell camera, but this, it is understood, was
demolished. It is not reported how serious Paul Power was injured, but
Emlay was said to be battered severely, striking his head upon the
rocks. To make matters worse, the heavy camera tumbled upon them.
It is not known whether this will cancel the
company's operations in this vicinity or not, all depending on the
seriousness of the injuries sustained. The camera, costing $3,000, it
is understood, was completely wrecked, the company however having an
emergency apparatus they can use.
The affair is regretted, as Emlay and his company
are endeavoring to give Medford much dignified publicity through the
release of the story-scenics they have been staging here.
Pinto Colvig, one of the company and a former
Medford boy, missed being one of the injured by seconds, having just
left the spot when Emlay and Power fell and were carried down.Medford Daily News, June 30, 1927, page 1

MOVIE
ACTORS RETURN AFTER DEATH SLIDEE.R.L.
Company Back from Crater Lake--Emlay Had Close Call--Camera
Is Saved--To Shoot More Scenes.

With his head
still bandaged from the effects of a fall down a steep embankment last
Tuesday evening a short distance above the Anna Spring camp in the
Crater Lake National Park, Earle Emlay,
director of the E.R.L. Productions company, which has been in southern
Oregon for a number of
weeks, was in Medford for a short time this forenoon with his entire
company preparatory to taking a number of mountain scenic pictures this
afternoon.
As a result of the fall of 50 or more
feet down a
rocky, snow-covered bank, Mr. Emlay was rendered unconscious for two
hours, striking his head on a rock. Paul Power,
who fell with him when a hollow snowbank collapsed, was bruised but not
severely injured.
At the time of the accident, attempts
were being
made to film a sunset, with the camera, an expensive machine, set on a
snowbank, which was believed to be solid. Without warning, the snow
caved in, causing Emlay and Power, who has been playing the lead in the
moving picture scenics which have been taken here, to fall and slide to
the bottom of the bank, with the camera and equipment tumbling after
them. Emlay was rushed to the home of Colonel C. C. Thomson at the Anna
Springs camp, where first aid was rendered. The camera, while
considerably damaged from the fall, was not ruined as previously
reported.
While searching for pieces of equipment
the next
day, it was discovered that all the snow on the bank was hollow, having
melted several feet above the ground, leaving it an unsafe
hollow
shell. The pictures not being completed, Emlay plans to return to the
same spot next week or later to take several hundred feet of film,
showing the beauties of a mountain sunset.
The E.R.L. company plans to spend
another three
weeks in Southern Oregon before returning to headquarters in Southern
California, and during that time expect to film approximately 10,000
more feet of local scenery, in addition to the 10,000 feet which has
already been taken. Selecting the better views, in the neighborhood of
one-half of the footage will be prepared for theater exhibition in all
parts of the United States as well as foreign countries. A number of
thrilling "shots" are to be taken next week, but due to the fact that
spectators are not wanted, the locations have not been made public.Medford
Mail Tribune, July 1, 1927, page 1

CAMERA SPILL LEAVES MOVIE MEN DEFIANT

Regardless
of the accident of the first of the week, when Earl Emlay, director,
and Paul Power of the E.R.L. Productions were hurt in the canyon above
Anna Springs, the company is going ahead with the filming of Southern
Oregon scenes.
The high-priced camera, thought at first to have
been completely demolished, may still be of use, camera lenses and
other parts being sent for and expected to arrive from Portland or Los
Angeles within a short time. Meanwhile they are using emergency
apparatus.
Members of the company feel most grateful to Col. C.
G. Thomson, superintendent of the Crater Lake Park, who gave the
injured first aid and housed them at his residence at Anna Springs the
night and day following the accident.
The company was in Medford yesterday, securing
pictures of muskrats and beavers to match up with those of deer and
bear secured by telephoto near Crater Lake.
Having left Union Creek, their headquarters are now
established in the company's new camp east of Medford along Crater Lake
Highway. Many scenes along Rogue River will be taken before they again
return to Crater Lake.
Medford Daily News, July 2, 1927, page 8

FILM
SCENES ON ROGUE TODAY

On location
along the Rogue, the E.R.L. Production Company, of which "Pinto"
Colvig, a local boy, is a member, shot several hundred feet of film
yesterday. A group of Medford people, including representatives of the
press, were the guests of the company for the day and watched the
company in action.
Moods of the
Rogue were caught as the camera followed the famous river down the
valley, and scenes of southern Oregon beauty were cataloged in filmdom
before the eyes of an approving Medford audience.
The company expects to remain near Medford during the greater part of
the summer.Medford Mail Tribune, July 5,
1927, page 8

Earl Emlay, director for the E.R.L.
Production company, spent a few hours vacation in Medford yesterday
from his camp on the Rogue River. Emlay is recuperating rapidly from
the injuries sustained in the accident occurring last week when he and
his camera collided with the rapids near Prospect."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 9, 1927, page 2

EMLAY NEARLY DROWNED
AS RAFT FAILS TO DO STUFFPaul Power and Director Stage Private Thriller on Rogue
While Taking Scenics; Life Is Full of Hazards.
By JEUNESSE BUTLER

"If
anyone thinks of a motion picture actor as a primper before a looking
glass, he should follow this moving picture company around for awhile,"
says Col. C. G. Thomson, superintendent of Crater Lake Park, who has
witnessed a number of life-endangering feats by director Emlay and
other members of the E.R.L. Productions in their efforts to obtain
pictures in the Park.
Probably few realize and appreciate the grandeur of
Crater Lake and surrounding country as Col. Thomson, who spends so much
of his time in the confines of the Park. It is a subject near and dear
to his heart, and he naturally takes a deep interest in the efforts of
the company to obtain pictures which will laster be exploited to the
world.

Risked Life.

To do this, Emlay has risked his
life in airplanes, fallen off cliffs, scaled a mountain or two, and
climbed down deep ravines and gorges, carrying heavy, expensive
apparatus, an audience knowing little of what measures are necessary to
give an audience adequate entertainment. The climax of his adventures
in Jackson County occurred this week, however, when Emlay and a few
spectators were given an unexpected thrill.
The company was established at Casey's Camp on Rogue
River, and Emlay had become enthused over the beauties of the long,
winding, picturesque and rugged waterway as he traveled along its
banks. To admire is to desire with a motion picture director, and Emlay
immediately wanted to "shoot" the river in some way that the audience
might see it as he did, while going along the shore.

Was Warned.

Timber growth on the shores was
too thick to permit use of the camera, so a special raft was built to
enable him to take the scene from a proper angle. Oldtimers, knowing
the treacherous nature of such a procedure, warned him it could not be
done with safety, but Emlay was determined to get the pictures at all
hazards.
A stout rope was fastened to the shore, the director
intending to take the rope to the center of the stream and fasten it,
that the raft might swing toward the other side of the river and get
the scene properly.
His assistants on the shore, however, let go of the
rope, leaving Emlay entirely free. This all happened at a point a short
distance from the famous Rogue River Rapids, and the only thing that
saved the raft from the rapids was Paul Power, the leading man of the
company, who caught up with Emlay in a rowboat.

Fell in Water.

He made for the other side, and
after barely getting [the] rope, the boat got beyond his control. He
leaped for the bank with the rope in his teeth, but fell in the water
20 feet deep.
The old proverbial straw in the shape of an old
branch came within his grasp just in time, and Power was able to fasten
the rope holding the raft onto the branch. The raft drifted downstream
toward the snags, Emlay reaching for these to hold the raft until Power
could reach him.
Onlookers thought this was the end of the thrill,
but the real thrill was to come. Power drifted down to Emlay on the
raft, much wearied by his efforts, and climbed on.

Many Thrills.

At this moment, the boat started
to drift, and Emlay to save the boat grabbed it, but the current was
too swift and carried the boat away and Emlay with it. One oar had
fallen out of the boat, and as the small craft was borne closer and
closer to the rapids, Emlay says he was given several thrills he hadn't
counted on.
Mrs. Emlay, the rest of the company, and a few other
onlookers were thoroughly excited by this time, and Pinto Colvig and a
couple of the camera men jumped in a car and made for a point where
they thought they might rescue the unfortunate director.

Not Hurt.

He escaped unhurt, except for a
considerable speeding up of heart action while going over the second
rapids, and came to shore about three quarters of a mile south of camp.
"I've expected, in fact, anticipated all sorts of
thrills for a good many years," he told Mrs. Emlay, after fully
recovering his breath and composure," but this was one I certainly
didn't know was coming, and I can't say I altogether enjoyed."Medford Daily News, July 10, 1927, page 1

EARLE EMLAY PLANS BIG PICTURE TO EXPLOIT LAKEIndian Legend Visioned As One of Greatest Epics of Celluloid
By Director Now Here Making Scenic Films.

Promise
to use Crater Lake as the setting for one of the greatest epic pictures
ever screened was made at the Lions Club luncheon yesterday by Earle
Emlay, director of the E.R.L. Productions, here making a series of
short story scenics.
Emlay declared that giant Hollywood producers are
becoming interested in the proposition, and stated that even if they
failed to back him, the picture would be made.

Great Photo.

"It will go down as one of the
greatest photoplays of all time. I'm going to make it if it's the last
thing I do," he promised.
Inspired by the old Indian legend of Crater Lake as
told by tribal medicine men down through the ages, Emlay sees marvelous
possibilities in the legend as a basis for a scenario. He visions the
unrivaled scenery of the Crater Lake country as a setting for the
picture.

No Indian Epics.

"One great biblical picture has
been made. Other mighty episodes have been given immortality on the
screen," he said, "and of course there have been poorer productions
along the pioneer lines blazed by the big pictures. No one has ever
produced the story of the Indian--it is the next great epic. And the
beautiful Crater Lake legend is the ideal medium."
The picture would be filmed in the atmosphere of the
time when redskins inhabited the western country, the players would be
cast only as Indians, thousands of extras could be used, and every
device known to the motion picture industry used to produce realistic
effects, said the director.

Many Details.

"Work on the picture will not
start until next spring. There are technical details to be worked out,
and months must be spent in research. Every detail must be perfect,"
Emlay declared. "Where will I get 5,000 extras? Can camps be
maintained? How can supplies be gotten in? These are only minor
questions, yet they take real study and effort. You can have no idea of
what a stupendous undertaking it will be."
The best of everything in the world is what Emlay
plans to secure for his film. Technicians from Germany would be secured
for the miniature work, he said, mentioning only one detail. A picture
to outrival Ben Hur, the Ten Commandments and other epics is Emlay's
desire.

To Take Year.

As planned, the Crater Lake
picture will establish new records. It will take at least a year to
film, the winter being used in securing equipment and experts.
Arrangements have been made to release the series
which is now being made around Medford, Emlay said. These pioneer
efforts in Rogue Valley in film making will be shown over the entire
United States.
Medford Daily News, July 14, 1927, page 1

Earle Emlay, director for the E.R.L.
Productions, has moved his company from Prospect up to Lake of the
Woods, where he will spend several days taking scenes."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 16, 1927, page 2

After an hour of music, the floor will be cleared
and at 9:30, with Earle Emlay, director of the E.R.L. Productions, as
master of ceremonies, the big Movie Ball will start.
[omission]
Medford. That is what everyone is going to wonder from now until Friday
night. For some lucky girl will be chosen by Mr. Emlay from the dance
floor to take the leading part in a picture he will make in or near
Medford. This fortunate young woman will not only have the pleasure of
acting for the screen, but also be paid for her services at the rate of
$20 per day."Movie Ball by Lions; Benefit of Playgrounds," Medford Mail Tribune, July 17, 1927, page 6

LISTEN, GIRLS! GREAT CHANCE COMES FRIDAY!

Girls, are you tired of it all, waiting for the thrill you never got?
Then cheer up, for the thrill that comes once in a lifetime is headed
right your way. Phone for a date at your favorite beauty shop and go
ahead and get that stunning little party frock you've been wanting.
Might as well get ready for "the big adventure."
What is it? Can it be possible, you don't know? That
next Friday night, at the big Movie Ball at Hilarity Hall, you may be
the lucky girl chosen by Earle Emlay to act in a picture he is making.
That you will not only have this honor and privilege, but will also be
paid for all the fun you'll have at $20 a day? Put off your vacation
till next week. This is your chance.
Are you married? Marriage won't bar you, you know.
So get permission from your husband, even if you have to promise him
half your salary. What's that, compared to fame?
The movie ball is but part of the grand
entertainment the roarin' Lions are putting on Friday night. Before the
dance, that starts at 9:30, with director Earle Emlay in charge, there
will be given a musical entertainment extraordinary. Mr. Erik Kahlson,
Sweden's twenty-year-old prodigy, who recently arrived in New York and
is spending his vacation with Mr. Emlay, will be presented in concert
of one hour. He will be assisted by two prominent local vocalists, and
those who have heard Mr. Kahlson are sounding his praises in
extravagant terms.
Entire proceeds to go toward establishment of children's public playground.Medford Mail Tribune, July 18, 1927, page 3

MOVIE MEN TO ENTERTAIN BY RADIO BILL

Movie
men are unusually gifted, with many talents besides those for acting,
directing, etc., if Earle Emlay, director, and the rest of the company
from the E.R.L. Productions are any indication.
Tomorrow night, beginning at 8:30, Mr. Emlay and the
rest of this movie making crew, with the assistance of a number of
local musicians, will give a two-hour benefit program over K.M.E.D. to
advertise the Movie Night at Hilarity Hall, Friday, July 22.
Mr. Emlay will be heard in songs and stories;
William Stull, Jr., cinematographer, will play the sax. "Jimmie"
Johnson will be there with his saxophone also, and tuners in may hear
some especially fine saxophone duets. Robert Parker, "still"
photographer, plucks a mean uke, and will give an example of his
ability, while both Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stewart will be heard in late
popular song numbers.
Medford music lovers who have yet to hear Mr. Erik Kahlson, Sweden's
20-year-old prodigy, who is spending a few weeks' vacation in the
valley, will be given this artistic adventure also, as Mr. Kahlson will
be on the air. The young man recently arrived in New York, and has
joined Mr. Emlay's company for the purpose of composing and arranging a
musical score as accompaniment to the pictures he is taking. Miss
Jeunesse Butler will accompany Mr. Kahlson, while Miss Gladys LaMar
will furnish the accompaniments for the popular number.s
All players and singers are donating their services, and the use of the
station is due to the courtesy of the Medford Chamber of Commerce. The
program in detail will be published in tomorrow's paper.Medford Daily News, July 19, 1927, page 1

MISS FINLEY IS DELIGHTED SHE HAS MOVIE JOB

"It
certainly was a real thrill to be chosen by Mr. Emlay, and I'm going to
do my best to deserve the honor," said Miss Constance Finley,
brown-haired, blue-eyed Medford girl selected by Earle Emlay, director
of the E.R.L. Productions, from the 300 or more local girls attending
the Lions Club movie dance at Hilarity Hall last night, to play a part
in the movie now being filmed near Medford.
Two other girls, distinctly different types, were
also announced in the final selection as the director's second and
third choices. They were Mrs. Guy Eddy, small, black-haired and
slender, and Miss Thelma Kelly, tall, stately blonde. Miss Finley is of
medium height and has had previous experience in pictures at Hollywood.
The last picture in which she appeared was "Fashions for Women,"
starring Esther Ralston.
"I am to have an interview with Mr. Emlay Monday
morning, and believe he intends that I go on location then. If I
understand correctly, the other two girls will also play parts in the
picture," said Miss Finley this afternoon.
The Movie Carnival, sponsored by the local Lions Club, was preceded
last night by a concert, featuring Eric Kahlson, the youthful Swedish
violinist, who is under contract with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to
appear for 30 consecutive weeks. His selections were enthusiastically
received by the large audience of music lovers, who crowded the hall
early in the evening to assure themselves standing room.
Kahlson was accompanied by Miss Jeunesse Butler and Mrs. George
Andrews. Others on the program were Miss Ester Maxine Pilker,
contralto, accompanied by Miss Ada Pilker; George Maddox, tenor,
accompanied by Miss Joyce Maddox.
The proceeds of the evening, amounting to some $500, will go towards the children's new playground.Medford Mail Tribune, July 23, 1927, page 2

Robert Parker, still man for the E.R.L.
Motion Picture Production company, Wm. Stull, Jr., cameraman, and Eric
Kahlson, Swedish violinist, left Tuesday afternoon for their homes in
Hollywood. They have been spending the past nine weeks in taking
pictures in the Crater Lake and Prospect districts."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 27, 1927, page 2

MEDFORD'S MOVIE QUEEN IS GUEST AT LIONS CLUB

Elected
to honorary membership in the local Lions Club, Erick Kahlson, noted
Swedish violinist, and Earle Emlay, director for the E.R.L.
Productions, now on location near Medford, were extended a vote of
thanks by the members for their contribution to the success of the
recent Movie Carnival. In a few words before the club, Emlay stated
that he would leave for Los Angeles tonight, while the work on the
present production would be under the direction of Charles Elliott, his
assistant and business manager.
Constance Finley, Medford's movie queen, who with
Elliott was a guest of the club, will, according to Emlay, begin work
immediately in some stunt riding scenes. Miss Finley is a skilled
horseback rider.Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, July 27, 1927, page 6

The presence of Medford's Movie Queen,
Miss Constance Finley, and Earle Emlay, movie director, specially fine
musical numbers by other guests, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stewart, and the
general spirit of jubilance over the recent successful Movie Night,
resulted in one of the best meeting ever held, when Medford Lions once
more assembled at the Hotel Holland for their regular meeting,
yesterday noon."Lions Roar in Glee As Movie Stars Visit," Medford Daily News, July 28, 1927, page 6

Hollywood Man Arrives To Keep Emlay's Books

An
interesting visitor in the city is Chas. M. Elliott of Hollywood, Cal.,
who arrived in Medford yesterday, to join Earle Emlay of the E.R.L.
Productions as business manager. Both wish to express, through the
columns of the News, their
appreciation of the Lions Club and city for cooperation in their
present undertakings, and to state that an announcement of much
importance will be made shortly.
Mr. Emlay and Mr. Elliott were both guests of the
Lions Club yesterday, the latter being especially interested in service
clubs. The latter was instrumental in organizing the national Rotary
organization at Portland and the international at Duluth, and was a
member of the San Francisco club until removing his residence to
Hollywood.
Medford Daily News, July 28, 1927, page 6

'Pinto' Colvig Wracks Brain for Way To Draw
Limburger Smell on Celluloid

"Back
again in the tropical south with only dim memories of The Snow That
Was. Will say that I enjoyed my visit with the home folks, scenery,
etc.," writes Pinto Colvig from Mack Sennett's studios, Edendale, Cal.
He continues, "Mack Sennett's buzzed my phone for
two weeks, and the day after I got here he signed me on a year's
contract, same work as last year, trick-cartoon gags and titles. The
first crack they handed me was working on the big half-million-dollar
war romance comedy, featuring Johnny Burke and the Sennett beauties. [Probably "The Good-Bye Kiss."]
"I have had all kinds of goofy and unusual ideas for
me to create along the trick-cartoon process, but when Sennett asked me
yesterday if I could draw the smell of Limburger cheese and show it on
the screen, it made me think twice. However, I'm doing it."
He explains, "The gag shows where a piece of the
cheese falls in the bellows of a small organ the comedian is playing,
and upon that scene and film I've got to show the smell coming out. I
hope they don't expect me to actually make it smell, although the gaff
might be so terrible it might do that anyhow."
Medford people will recall that Mr. Colvig was the
first to bring the E.R.L. Productions company to Medford and interest
them in this section.Medford Daily News, July 29, 1927, page 1

MOVIE TO BE GIVEN SUPPORT BY LOCAL BODYEarl Emlay, on Agreement To Put Proposition of Crater Lake Movie
in Definite Shape, Given Tentative Backing.

Earl
Emlay, manager of the E.R.L. Productions, who last night at the
Craterian Theatre outlined his proposition for the filming of a picture
founded on the legend of Crater Lake, using the scenic wonder as a
pictorial background, met with the committee this noon at the Hotel
Medford and discussed future plans.
The committee is composed of Phil Harrison, A. C.
Hubbard, S. S. Smith, Emil Mohr, George A. Hunt, C. E. Gates, Harry
Rosenberg, J. W. Wakefield, Earl Gaddis, Ted Baker, secretary of the
Chamber of Commerce, and Vernon I. Vawter, chairman. Mr. Elliot,
business manager for Emlay, was also present.
The committee, after discussing the proposition,
decided to request that Emlay present a more definite proposition,
which they will give their support and assistance. The members pledged
some financial support, moral support and general cooperation if the
final program should seem feasible.
Mr. Emlay's plan, as he told it to a group of local citizens last night, is as follows:
That he heard from Will G. Steel, father of Crater
Lake, and Judge William M. Colvig, the story of the legend of Crater
Lake, and that it impressed him as being admirably suited for a moving
picture epic of the "Ben Hur" and "Intolerance" type. He has been
taking short reels of the lake and surroundings and has become enamored
of its beauties.
Emlay has written the legend, and secured a
copyright upon it, and declares that he has his heart set upon
producing the picture, and further declares that it is something
new--which the movie world is looking for.
He estimates that it would cost $125,000 to produce
the picture, and he proposes that 125 southern Oregon business men
subscribe $1000 each towards that end. He considers it the most
forceful advertising the community could receive, besides being a
sterling artistic effort.
Emlay, in stating his proposals, frankly said that
he was neither an orator nor a business man, and asked that the
handling of the finances be left to other hands. He also emphatically
announced that if it degenerated into any sort of a stock-selling
scheme he would divorce himself from it forthwith.
It was the consensus of opinion of those who
listened to Mr. Emlay that his plan is feasible, that he possesses the
talent to make it a reality, and that some plan should be evolved
whereby it could become an actuality.
Mr. Emlay said that he came to stay a week at Crater
Lake, and had been there eight weeks, and still reluctant to return to
Hollywood. He has made himself thoroughly familiar with the history and
legends of Crater Lake and is daily gathering more data.Medford Mail Tribune, August 3, 1927, page 1

BUSINESS MEN HEAR PLAN FOR FILMING
GREAT EPIC AT MEETING LAST NIGHT

Plans
for including Crater Lake and the beautiful Indian legend connected
therewith in one of the world's great motion picture epics were
detailed at a theatre party at Hunt's Craterian last night by Earl
Emlay, manager of the E.R.L. Productions company. Emlay, who has been
directing a small company in photographing scenes at the lake, revealed
to the party, consisting of 40 or 50 business and professional men, his
mental picture of what he sincerely believes will prove one of the
greatest cinema spectacles of all time.

Is Costly

Emlay estimates that the
production can be made for a sum approximating $125,000, and said that
he was willing to stake a year of hard work and his reputation as a
director and photographer of motion pictures on the successful outcome
of the venture.
The plans detailed by Emlay revealed the fact that
he is convinced that the production will prove an excellent financial
investment not only, but will do more to carry the story and
unsurpassed beauty of the famous lake to millions in a manner that
cannot be approached through any other channel.

Is Feasible

His plans created a favorable
impression upon those in attendance and of those who made comment upon
the proposed idea; a majority expressed the opinion that the venture is
feasible from a business standpoint.
A committee was named to make a study of Emlay's
plan and to assist in presenting the proposal to the general public of
the city. Vernon Vawter, C. E. Gates, Earl C. Gaddis, Harry Rosenberg,
S. S. Smith, A. C. Hubbard, George Hunt and Emil Mohr were named as
members of the committee.
Emlay's plans provide for filming the entire
production at the lake and in this city. Some of the scenes will
require 5,000 people, all of whom he proposes will be secured locally.
Only a very few of the better types of leading artists will be required
in filming what Emlay says will be a super production.

Indian Legend

An outline of the story around
which Emlay proposed to build the spectacle was given by the producer
and will date back 10,000 years, which is the starting point for the
famous Indian legend as to the lake's origin, and will continue up to
approximately 100 years ago, when Indian tribes were carrying on
continual warfare. A love narrative is interwoven in the story, with a
beautiful Indian princess and a handsome young chief of another tribe
as the principals.
The eruption of Mt. Mazama and its collapse into the
bowels of the earth will form the climax and afford the great spectacle
of the proposed production.
"It will rival, if not excel, such productions as
The Last Days of Pompeii, Ben Hur, Intolerance and many other of the
leading film spectacles," said Mr. Emlay, who has been devoting weeks
to the formation of the story and who has contributed much to the rapid
advances made during recent years in the film industry.Medford Daily News, August 3, 1927, page 1

TO TAKE MOVIE OF LOWER ROGUE

To
shoot several hundred [feet] of film around the romance of Hellgate
Gorge, Earle Emlay, director of the E.R.L. Productions, is moving his
company and equipment down to Grants Pass today. "But we won't desert
Medford for long--be back here probably tomorrow or the next day," he
said, "to continue where we left off."
Emlay explained that he was delayed in his work here
through the illness of Miss Constance Finley, Medford's movie queen,
whom he had intended filming in a series of trick riding scenes. Having
taken some stills of the local girl, the director announced that she
photographed "beautifully--far better-looking even than she is off the
screen," and anticipates that she has a real future ahead of her.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 4, 1927, page 3

EMLAY TO FILM LOWER ROGUE AND PEAR INDUSTRY

Filming
scenes which have never appeared on the screen before, Earle Emlay of
the E.R.L. Productions will leave this week or early next with a party
for the wild forest country below Hell's Gate above the mouth of Rogue
River to spend a week or more taking one full reel of scenery, which
Mr. Emlay believes to be some of the wildest in southern Oregon. After
finishing the reel, he plans to take another of the local fruit
industry, showing how pears are picked, sorted, packed and shipped.
Mr. Emlay, who has directed the taking of numerous
reels of southern Oregon scenery during the past two months, last week
filmed scenes around Hell's Gate, where the water is 90 feet deep.
Claude Bardon, a resident of the Hell's Gate district, is this week
constructing a special boat from which Mr. Emlay will attempt to take
scenes while traveling downstream. Mr. Bardon, who is said to be an
expert at boat handling, will pilot the boat on its dangerous journey,
which has been attempted but very few times.
A United States geological and survey party
attempted to make the trip some time ago, but as a result lost all
[its] instruments. Mr. Emlay is procuring special camera equipment for
the journey, which will be fraught with risks. His cameraman, W. Stull
and others, are expected to arrive this week from Hollywood for the
"shooting" of the scenes, for which an unusually active finish has been
planned.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 8, 1927, page 3

TO REPEAT AIR TICKET SHOWER

More theater tickets will be dropped from an airplane again next
Monday, according to George A. Hunt, local theater owner. The tickets,
500 of them, will admit the owner to admission to the various
attractions which will come to the Craterian and Rialto theaters during
the Greater Movie Season, which started this week.
The plane will fly directly over the vacant lot in front of the Medford Mail Tribune office
at 5 o'clock. The tickets are guaranteed to fall on the ground this
time. Yesterday pilot Cunningham was not flying his own plane and could
not fly low. Next Monday he will be in his own plane and will fly as
low as possible. Earl Emlay will fly with him to drop the tickets.Medford Mail Tribune, August 9,
1927, page 2

Earle Emlay, head of the E.R.L.
Productions company of Hollywood, accompanied by William Stull,
cameraman, left this forenoon for Gold Beach as a preliminary move to
the filming of scenery along the Rogue River below Hell's Gate. Mr.
Emlay, who has been in southern Oregon for two or more months, plans to
follow the river to the seas in a specially constructed boat next week,
giving scenery to the screen never before filmed."Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 11, 1927, page 2

Movie Director To Film Rogue from Hellgate to Sea

Earl
Emlay, director of the E.R.L. Productions company, which has been
filming scenes in the Medford country for the past two months, leaves
this morning with Claude Bardon for Hells Gate.
Bardon, who took Zane Grey down the river to Gold
Beach, will go with Emlay, who intends to take pictures of the
marvelous scenery. A special boat has been contracted for the dangerous
trip.
William Stull, cameraman for the company, will meet
Emlay at Gold Beach with another camera, where motion pictures will be
taken.
Emlay and Bardon will travel light, for they realize
that they stand a chance of losing their boat and camera, and possibly
their lives, in the swirling current of the river.Medford Daily News, August 12, 1927, page 2

MOVIE DIRECTOR FAILS TO REACH GOLD BEACH
ON HIS TRIP DOWN ROGUE IN BOAT

Fear
that Earl Emlay, Hollywood motion picture director, who is well known
in Medford, where he has been filming scenic reels for the past two
months, has been drowned in the treacherous, swirling currents of Rogue
River was expressed last night in a telephone message to The Daily News from William Stull, cameraman. Stull phoned from Gold Beach, Emlay's destination.
The director, who once before narrowly missed losing
his life while photographing scenes along the river, left Hell's Gate
below Grants Pass Wednesday with Paul Bardon of Grants Pass in a
peculiarly constructed boat. He and Bardon expected to float down the
raging rapids, taking action pictures, and to arrive in Gold Beach
yesterday afternoon. In the afternoon, Stull, waiting at Gold Beach,
found a tire which Emlay had taken as a life preserver floating down
the river. A rubber pouch which Emlay used to carry films was also
found in the river.

No Trace Found

Stull immediately phoned The Daily News and
at 8 p.m. last night phoned again with information that no further
equipment of Emlay's had been found, but that Emlay and Bardon had
failed to arrive.
The tire which was found in the river was one which
had been marked for identification, for Emlay fully appreciated the
danger of the expedition on which he was embarking.
"Stull's taking my blue suit down to Gold Beach as a shroud. I always liked blue," Emlay told the News before starting on the trip, jesting about the dangers.

Special Boat

Bardon last year piloted Zane Grey
down the treacherous section of the river, which runs over rapids and
through wild country. A special boat shaped like a tub was constructed
by Bardon for Emlay's trip.

Narrow Escape

On July fifth, Emlay was almost
drowned in the rapids near Casey's Camp, when a raft from which he was
taking pictures broke loose. He was rescued by Paul Power, actor, who
was then in Medford and was working with Emlay.
It is believed that, had disaster overtaken Emlay
and Bardon, more equipment would have floated to Gold Beach.
Possibilities are that no ill luck has befallen the pair, although the
rough stretch which they intended to travel is so treacherous as to
cause fear for their safety to arise.

Was Injured

Emlay's enthusiasm for getting
striking scenics led to his injury in Crater Lake Park before the
season opened, when he and Power tumbled down a canyon with a heavy
load of equipment when a snowbank gave away. The men were slightly
injured, and costly equipment was lost in the fall.
In addition to taking many scenic pictures in Rogue
River Valley, Emlay had written a scenario for an epic picture of the
Crater Lake legend, and he intended to film the picture in Southern
Oregon.Medford Daily News, August 14, 1927, page 1

EMLAY RETURNS AFTER DELAYED RIVER VOYAGEMovie Director Gets Wet, Loses Some Films,
But Completes Trip to Mouth of Rogue River Without Further Mishap.

GRANTS
PASS, Ore., Aug. 15.--(AP)--The trip of Earl Emlay, motion picture man,
to Gold Beach by boat down the Rogue River, halted temporarily Saturday
when the craft struck a rock at Russian Bar, on the lower river, and
went to the bottom of the river almost immediately. The boat was being
piloted by Claude Bardon, experienced river man, who took Zane Grey to
the mouth of the Rogue a year ago. Emlay had planned to take a picture
of the Rogue River.
The camera and most of the equipment was saved,
although Mr. Emlay does not yet know if the films, which he had already
taken, were ruined.
Emlay and Bardon started down the river last
Thursday afternoon. When the accident occurred, which ended their trip,
they were seven miles below Almeda, or about forty miles from their
starting point.
Finding of an automobile tube and rubber container
for films many miles below the scene of the accident gave rise to
reports Saturday night that the pair might have been drowned.
The two returned to Grants Pass today.
Following the accident the boat was raised and
repaired, and the remainder of the trip to the mouth was made in 14
hours, using an outboard motor. Several films were lost.

----

Earl Emlay, Hollywood film
director, and William Stull, Jr. reached here this afternoon, after
their ill-fated trip down the lower Rogue River when their boat was
wrecked on Russian Bar.
Emlay suffered no physical injuries from his
thrilling experience but was depressed by the loss of his films, which
he claims were the most thrilling and picturesque ever taken of western
scenery.
The motorboat in which the picture expedition was
traveling was wrecked Saturday evening, just before the party were
ready to land and make camp for the night. The boat was sucked
underneath the raging waters, and the party were carried 400 yards
submerged and clinging to the boats. They finally managed to make shore.
Emlay declares that the scenery along the lower
Rogue excels that of the Colorado River, and that a boat trip down it
is more dangerous and exciting than any river trip in the world.Medford Mail Tribune, August 15, 1927, page 1

EMLAY SAFE ON TRIP TO GOLD BEACH

Safe
and sound, but depressed over the loss of his films and some other
photographic equipment, Earl Emlay, motion picture director connected
with the E.R.L. Productions, returned to Medford yesterday following a
wreck and cold dip into Rogue River's icy waters near the mouth at Gold
Beach.
Emlay's boat, piloted by Claude Bardon, struck on a
rock in the river and according to reports went down almost
immediately. He saved his expensive movie camera but lost an automobile
tube and a rubber film carrier, which were found later at the mouth of
the river and gave rise to a rumor that the adventurous pair were
drowned.
Emlay and Bardon left last Thursday for their
nerve-wracking trip down the treacherous Rogue in a boat which
resembled a tub more than a trim watercraft.
After he had taken some fine scenery pictures on the
river, Emlay had the bad luck to lose them all when their boat struck
the submerged rock.
Lower Rogue River presents some of the world's
finest scenery, Emlay declares, and agrees that local thrill-seekers
who have made the trip by declaring that a boat ride down the swift
stream is the most exciting thing he has attempted yet.
The sunken boat was raised and proceeded downstream
by means of an outboard motor, and Emlay, together with his right
bower, William Stull, returned to Medford in quest of new adventures.Medford Daily News, August 16, 1927, page 1

EARL EMLAY OFF FOR HOLLYWOOD

Earl Emlay, producer of E.M.F. [sic]
films, who has been taking scenic pictures of Crater Lake and other
spots in this vicinity for the past four months, left this afternoon
for Hollywood, Calif., by auto. He hopes to be able to salvage some of
the films he saved when the boat in which he was making a trip down the
lower Rogue capsized a week ago. Emlay and party saved themselves with
difficulty.
According to the producer, his pictures of Crater
Lake will be shown at the Craterian in about a month, when he plans
returning here.Medford Mail Tribune, August 19,
1927, page 4

If Emlay ever returned to the Rogue Valley with his Crater Lake film it
was more than two months later, at which point I stopped reviewing the
newspaper microfilm. It could be that little of the footage survived
Emlay's repeated disasters, but the eventual fate of the film is
probably best hinted at by his activities a year later:

Emlay Opens New Salad Shop at Service Station

With the opening of Moore's super service station at
14801 Ventura Boulevard scheduled for tomorrow night, Earle Emlay,
formerly of New York, is making preparations to open a salad shop on
the premises, where light lunches and the finest of salads will be
served and sold to retail trade.
Emlay claims to be a past master in the art of
producing a delectable salad, and the new establishment will cater
especially to motor parties and the hostess who wants something
different for her dinner parties.The Van Nuys News, August 31, 1928, page 10

Mr. Earl Emlay, erstwhile proprietor of
the Salad Shop, has given up his business here and has opened up the
Emlay Grill in the McCadden Hotel, Hollywood."Cahuenga Park--Sherman Oaks," The Van Nuys News, February 22, 1929, page 19

Raoul Mario Rites Held at Burbank

BURBANK,
Feb. 3.--(UP)--Funeral services were held today for Earle Emlay, 55,
known in the radio world as Raoul Mario, who is credited with
perfecting an ultra high-speed camera by which slow motion pictures are
made. He died Thursday at his home in Pacoima.San Mateo Times, February 3, 1945, page 3